"[The] price is based on rarity, demand, and green coffee
prices," a Starbucks spokesperson told
Yahoo! Shine. "This coffee is not widely available, so, like
an opportunity to try a wine where there is limited production,
demand is high."

Only a handful of farms in Costa Rica produce the
red-berry-colored beans required for Starbucks' newest variety,
which allows distributors to hike the price. Currently,
Starbucks is selling half pound bags of Finca Palmilera bean for
$40 both in stores and online.